Hotels have moved to become more like airlines over the past few years, with non-refundable internet prepaid rates and moving back the deadline for cancelling a guaranteed room without penalty (often now it’s 6pm the day before checkin instead of day of — and some resort properties require much earlier cancellations, even weeks). Airlines themselves have become more like airlines, with most change penalties moving from a pittance up to $100 (though the odd route on some carriers is still $50 mostly as a result of competitive requirements, Alaska is generally $50 across the board and JetBlue is just $25). It’s remained something of a mystery why rental cars haven’t been able to move to a penalty-laden pricing model. But Hertz appears to be making baby steps towards changing that. They’ve announced their intention to…
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If it was almost any other hotel chain I’d so be there..
(Ok, not any other chain, Radisson wouldn’t count!) Best Western is awarding lifetime Diamond status to everyone who stays 60 nights in 2006. (Via The Global Traveller.)
Le Meridien Now a Part of Starwood Preferred Guest
After some stops, starts, and glitches over the weekend it looks the like Le Meridien properties have gone live on the Starwood website and most are now listed as award redemption options as well. The integration is official, and Starwood elite members should now expect to have their status benefits honored across participating properties in the chain. (Notably absent are the Parker Meridien properties in New York and Palm Springs, which didn’t participate in the old Moments program either — as well as about ten other properties.)
Westin LAX: Not so bad?
InFlightHQ stays at the Westin ex-LAX and doesn’t come away thinking it’s bloody awful. I hope he didn’t pay more than $55 for it (a frequently available Priceline rate, though when Pricelining 4* at the LA airport one hopes for the Sheraton). This hotel is likely the very worst Westin. Ok, maybe InFlightHQ wasn’t actually happy with his room… my room smelled like french fries, kalamari, and onion rings. Personally, at LAX I’d even prefer the Four Points.
Airlines and Customers Spending More Money on Seats
I’ve gotten a few emails asking me why I haven’t commented on Northwest’s plan to charge a $15 premium for their ‘best’ coach seats. While there’s the risk of holding back some elite seating and generating some marginal revenue, I more or less see it as a non-event because outside of the exit rows Northwest really doesn’t offer any decent seats in coach worth paying extra for. And the few times that there are actual seats somewhat (barely) better than others in coach, they aren’t necessarily the ones that Northwest will be charging more money for. As always, consult Seat Guru for your choice of seat and by all means don’t pay Northwest extra for their pitiful coach product. (At least United’s forward rows in coach offer additional legroom…) Meanwhile, United announced that it will…
Freddies Balloting About to End
Voting for the Freddie Awards closes tomorrow, March 15. So this is your last shot to cast your ballot for the best programs, awards, and bonuses of the year. I posted my own take on who deserves accolades back on February 1, in case you need any ideas about how to cast your own vote . . .
Which Sheraton or Marriott Near DCA???
Brad DeLong discovers that hotel names can be confusing even within the same brand. The Crystal Gateway Marriott is not the Crystal City Marriott. The Crystal City Marriott is not the Crystal Gateway Marriott. In the same neighborhood it’s also important to know that the Sheraton National is not the closest Sheraton to National Airport. Until recently there was a hotel called Sheraton Pentagon South — which was not the closest Sheraton to the Pentagon. (That honor belongs to the Sheraton National.) So if you’re looking for a Starwood property near National Airport you book the Sheraton Crystal City and if you want one near the Pentago you book the Sheraton National. And if you want a Sheraton in the Nation’s Capital you can’t, because there is no Sheraton in the District of Columbia (except…
Getting Refunds When the Price of Your Ticket Goes Down
The Upgrade Travel Blog reminds us that some US domestic carriers, most notably United, still allow you get get a voucher when a fare you’ve already purchased goes down. American used to do it domestically but no longer does, unfortunately. The piece reports that USAirways offers this feature. What I hadn’t realized (I admit, somewhat embarassingly) is that United will let you go through the process online — a huge benefit for people like me who hate the telephone.
Getting Value for the Money at Pizza Hut
I like to get the most out of every dollar, as regular readers of this blog can imagine. But this is going too far, even for me. But then I also can’t remember the last time I was willing to eat at Pizza Hut. I make no claims to the veracity of this story, by the way. Hat tip to I Will Teach You to Be Rich.
Zengo Restaurant
Last night I had dinner at Zengo in Washington, DC, part of the small Modern Mexican chain. The restaurant came highly recommended by Tyler Cowen. Things did not start out promising. I pulled up at 7pm for our 7:15pm reservation. The valet parking attendants were standing around. They weren’t moving the cars that were already there, and they ignored us (and several more cars that pulled in behind us). Traffic in an already busy area backed up. After waiting 15 minutes, I called into the restaurant. I explained that I was outside waiting for parking and that a problem was developing. I was told “the valets are a different company so there’s nothing I can do, but I’ll tell the manager.” The manager came out and the valets took my car. By this time the…
